How To Set Up A Rain Tarp For Camping

We has a big enough tarp to tuck the sides into the inside and lay on that to keep the rain out. However, there’s also a downside to adding a beak or its bigger brother, a full vestibule, because you’ll forever be limited to an A-frame pitch. This really limits your flexibility in terms of adapting a tarp’s shape to your surroundings, so I thought I’d point it out.

If you ran your tarp diagonally across the ridgeline, you will only need two guylines. With the tarp centered where you want it, use one of the methods mentioned above to attach one side of the tarp to the ridgeline. Lay the tarp over the ridgeline either diagonally or lengthwise. If lengthwise, make sure the ridgeline lines up with the center seam of the tarp if there is one. And there have been times when I went completely freestyle running my ridgeline off at a crazy angle and guylines where ever they worked the best. The tl;dr here is that you should always carry four guylines to make sure you always have what you need and to help you with tarp deployment in tough situations.

If you break a tent pole or need a repair to your tent, you will face a bill that is much higher than the cost of repairing your torn tarp. And if a tent is broken or torn while out on an expedition, the solution won’t be as simple as just using another tarp configuration. You want to create a ridgeline, so tie some paracord to one anchor point as high as you want then stretch it tight and tie it off at the other anchor point . With your tarp properly set up, you and your belongings would be adequately protected from the rain and strong winds. There are various knot styles for you to choose from. You must pick one that would be easy to tie and loosen.

What To Look For In Camping Tarps

I didn’t have a single problem with the tarp and kept dry even during one tropical storm and several severe thunderstorms. I hammock and used drip strings on each end of my suspension to divert the water coming down the whoopie slings to the ground before it hit the hammock. I also used a underquilt protector to ensure that any splash up did not hit the underquilt.

If weight is a concern or you simply want a tarp that’s kitted out with a few smart camping-friendly features, go with the Sea to Summit Escapist Tarp . It comes with plenty of tie-down attachments and includes its own guy lines, as well as illustrations on different tarp configuration options on its stuff sack. But if you’re just looking for added shelter for a variety of circumstances and a wider footprint, the bomber Stansport Reinforced Multi-Purpose Tarp will deliver. It’s available in a variety of sizes and its rope-reinforced edges and rust-resistant grommets will stand up to serious abuse. If you decide to set up your tarp in the rain or after a storm on wet ground, your best defense against getting wet is to carry a piece of plastic window wrap to use as a groundsheet. While it’s very thin lightweight plastic, the stuff is tough enough to last an entire season if you’re careful with it.

Guylines

The most important thing to a successful rainy camp is to know the proper use of tarps. Knowing how to set up a tarp shelter is the key to enjoy camping comfortably in the rain. Even while it rains, a well-pitched tarp will allow you to cook comfortably and safely. At night, being under a tarp will result in a temperature increase especially if you have a lantern going. You can also situate a tarp as a lean-to if you need a wind break just by staking one side all the way to the ground.

A tarp will make a useful addition to your outdoor gear even if you already have a tent that you enjoy using. It can be used to provide an extra area of cover for more dry living space, as a windbreak, or as a place to stash gear out of the weather. In an emergency the humble tarp can also be used to carry a casualty, or as a very quick emergency shelter. Weather is unpredictable, and if you’re caught in heavy rain, then these would be the best tarp poles to use to create a pitched shelter. If you extend them to their full length of 8 feet 2.4 inches, this will help in shedding the heavy rain. These are our best value tarp poles as they will come in handy around any campsite to create shelters or keep windbreaks taut in windier conditions.

Tarp Shelter Configurations You Should Know

So I attach a biner or “O” ring to the loop and pass the end through that. Follow this up by wrapping the cord around the tree about one foot above the hammock straps, which should be 5-6 feet from the ground. Keep in mind that the closer the lines are to each other, the better coverage you’ll get but less headroom, too.

At this point your main poles don’t need to be vertical. Hopefully you have adjustable poles, because it’s so much easier to setup when your tarp’s closer to the ground. You can pitch your tent on top of a tarp as an extra layer of protection between you and the ground. This is will make it even easier to pack away your nice, dry tent. Packing away a dirty, wet tent into an already smelly and damp car is easily my least favorite part of camping.

And this raises the other question I had of how specifically to determine where to put the loops in the rope. I think I envision pulling the rope tight on the ground and laying the tarp over it to determine the location of the loops, then… Hope somebody’s out there listening after this long. I have used cheap string to hold up the sides on occasion since there is little tension.

Step 2: Hang Tarp Over Primary Rope

Depending on the style of tarp camping you choose, your camp may be more or less exposed to the elements. That said, with the addition of a jacket or two and a quality beanie, you shouldn’t get much colder than you might be in a normal tent. In terms of addressing different types of weather such as rain, snow, or other wet conditions, tarp camping can still work for you! For hammockers, your bed for the night’s destined to become more of a bath without adequate overhead protection.

The Taut Tarp Hitch looks at the other end of your ridgeline and is absolutely critical for ensuring it is as tight as tight can be; like tightrope tight. The primary principal is that it allows you to get the right tension, then use the paracord to lock the tension into place while you work on your knot. Step-by-step instructions can be found here at Howl Bushcraft. If you can’t secure your tarp, your camping experience is going to be miserable. You can learn to do these knots on your early trips, but that really just means spending endless hours in the darkness working things through by trial and error. Before heading out for the first time you really need to try this out in your yard.

Ultra Lightweight Tarp Setups Without Ridgelines

Tarps are one of the most helpful and versatile items you should have with you on your next camping trip. They are inexpensive, easy to pack and have a variety of different uses. For example, they can be used to make your tent a drier and more comfortable place to stay by being suspended directly over your tent. The Big Agnes Onyx UL Tarp offers an outstanding size to weight ratio. At only ten ounces, the tarp covers an impressive 72 square feet which is plenty of room for two people to sleep comfortably. If you want a tarp that is waterproof and durable, then look no further than the Hyperlite Mountain Gear flat tarp.

Also, make sure the sticks aren’t too thin, otherwise they’ll bend under the tension of the tie-down ropes. Depending on the weather, most campsites require a tarp to be set up, either for protect from the rain or shelter from the sun. A couple of years ago, I was planning a trip during which I knew nighttime temperatures would be low enough I didn’t need a bug net for my hammock. Before I fell asleep, I felt/heard/sensed something walking on the hammock straps.

Try to position this shelter so that the open ends are away from the wind. You can also place one end near to natural shelter (brush, tree trunk, etc.) and move to the end furthest from the weather. For starters, there is nothing other than your campfire smoke to stop critters getting to you under an open tarp. If bugs are not your thing, maybe a tent would suit you better. And while tarps don’t require poles they will need trees so if you are going above the tree-line, again, a tent might be a better option. The downsides are that you are still left exposed on three sides.

How Do You Sleep Comfortably Under A Tarp?

You might be thinking, “I want to learn how to set up a shelter, not whatever a ridgeline is! ” Low and behold, ridgelines are an essential piece of this puzzle. If I was in a climate where it rained all the time, I wouldn’t be using a flat or cat cut tarp. Back when I was a kid we camped with just a plain old tarp and rope like you pick up at the hardware store.

Choosing The Length Of A Ridgeline

The Escapist Tarp wears its many functions on its sleeve—literally. The almost-aptly-named Noah’s Tarp won’t help you survive a flood—or house two of every known animal species—but it might be the most weather-proof camping tarp on this list. It comes with fully taped seam construction and is made of no-snag coated polyester taffeta that lets you pitch it tight, essential when the weather gets really foul. A smartly engineered pocket at the lets you store lengths of rope, and it also comes with a carry sack.